April 30, 2023

Fourth Sunday of Easter, Cycle A

Let us pray for leaders in our Universal Church. May we clearly imitate the Good Shepherd and sustain Easter hope for all people. May joy be our food and consolation become our way of life.

We pray to the Lord.

Let us pray for Easter joyfulness in every worshipping assembly. May our churches proclaim the love of the Good Shepherd and ease the burdens of our people. May we learn to serve bringing comfort and delight to every corner of the world.

We pray to the Lord.

Let us pray for desperate people unable to find solace. For people experiencing layoffs, continuing migraine headaches, daily hunger, and the inability to pay rent on time. May the Shepherd welcome our moments of fragility.

We pray to the Lord.

Let us pray for our loved ones who live in their beds. May the Good Shepherd heal the bedsores, the rashes of guilt and shame, and prepare them for green and rich pastures in heaven. May we never leave their side.

We pray to the Lord.

Let us pray for our young people who stream toward our alters this Easter season. May our children who receive Eucharist for the first time be ready to receive the Body and Blood of our Savior throughout their lives.

We pray to the Lord.

Let us pray for people who wash blood from the streets. May they claim peace on their sidewalks after the dozens of mass shootings across our nation. May the Shepherd prepare pastures of hope on concrete and asphalt.

We pray to the Lord.

Let us pray to enable peace within our conversations and ways of life. May we never build walls that divide or walk paths that lead us to destruction and hatred. May the Good Shepherd take us by the hand.

We pray to the Lord.

Let us pray for a new vision of Church in this Easter Season. May we all find the consolation of the Good Shepherd. May the Eucharist reveal justice and mercy for every person under heaven.

We pray to the Lord.

Let us pray for our loved ones who join the Shepherd’s heavenly embrace. May our beloved dead be united with the Savior for all eternity.

We pray to the Lord.